CHAPTER X.

SERVICE FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.

As the minister rises in the pulpit to commence the services, let one of the trustees, or some one in their behalf, address him, saying:

EVEREND AND BELOVED BROTHER: In

behalf of the trustees of this church, and the church and congregation here assembled, I present you this house to be dedicated to the service and worship of Almighty God.

¶Then shall the minister say to the congregation:

ᎠᎬ
DEA that God is well pleased with those

EARLY beloved: The Scriptures teach

us

who build temples to his name. He filled the temple of Solomon with his glory, and manifested himself in the second temple still more gloriously. The Gospel approves and commends the centurion who built a synagogue for the people. And it is meet and right, as we also learn from the Holy Scriptures, that houses erected for the worship of God, should be specially set apart and dedicated to his service. Thus Moses dedicated the tabernacle in the wilderness, and thus Solomon dedicated the temple upon Mount Zion. In like manner devout men have been wont to erect and conse

crate houses for the worship and praise of God in all ages of the Christian Church; and for such a dedication we are now assembled. With gratitude, therefore, to Almighty God, who has signally blessed his servants in the holy enterprise of erecting this house of prayer, let us devoutly join in praise to his name, and in prayer for his continued blessing upon all who have been engaged therein.

Let an appropriate hymn be sung.

Then let the minister, or some one appointed by him, read one or more of the following lessons from the Bible, 2 Chronicles vi. 18-33; Psalm xlviii.; Psalm cxxii.; Psalm cxxxii.; Heb. x. 19-26.

¶ After another hymn, let the minister deliver a sermon suitable to the occasion.

The sermon being ended, let another hymn be sung, and the fol lowing, or an appropriate extempore dedicatory prayer be offered:

MOST glorious Lord, we acknowledge that we are unworthy to offer unto thee anything belonging unto us; yet we beseech thee, in thy great goodness, graciously to accept the dedication of this place to thy service, and to prosper this our undertaking. Receive thou the prayers and intercessions of all those thy servants who shall call upon thee in this house; and give them grace to prepare their hearts to serve thee with reverence and godly fear. Af fect them with a solemn apprehension of thy Divine Majesty, and a deep sense of their own unworthiness; that so approaching thy sanctuary with lowliness and devotion, and coming before thee with right thoughts and a pure heart, with bodies undefiled, and minds sancti

fied, they may always perform a service acceptable unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Regard, O Lord, the supplications of thy servants, and grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee in this house by holy baptism, may prove faithful to all their covenant obligations; remain in the number of the faithful and elect children, and may finally come to thy heavenly and everlasting kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that whosoever shall receive in this place the blessed sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, may come to that holy ordinance with faith, charity, and true repentance; and being filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, may, to their great and endless comfort, obtain remission of their sins, and all other benefits of his passion. Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that by thy holy Word which shall be read and preached in this place, and by thy Holy Spirit grafting it inwardly in the heart, the hearers thereof may both perceive. and know what things they ought to do, and may have power and strength to fulfill the same. Amen.

Now, therefore, arise, O Lord, and come unto this place of thy rest, thou and the ark of thy strength. Let thine eye be open toward this house day and night; and let thine ears be ready toward the prayers of thy children which they shall make unto thee in this place. And whensoever thy servants shall make to thee their petitions here, do thou hear

them from heaven, thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive. And grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that here and elsewhere thy ministers may be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints rejoice in thy salvation. And may we all, with thy people everywhere, grow up into a holy temple in the Lord, and be at last received, through riches of grace in Christ Jesus, into the glorious temple above: the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be glory and praise, world without end. Amen.

The collection, if any, should then be taken, and the services conclude with the doxology and the benediction.

CHAPTER XI.

SERVICE FOR THE ORDINATION OF A MINISTER.

The day for the ordination having arrived, there shall be a sermon touching the office and work of the ministry, after which, the candidate standing before the altar, the chairman of the council shall address the congregation, saying:

BRET

RETHREN: we propose this day to ordain A. B., now present before us, to the office and work of the Christian ministry. For, after due examination, we find not to the contrary, but that he is lawfully called to this function and ministry, and that he is a person meet for the same. But if there be any of you who know any impediment or crime in him, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy ministry, let him now come forth in the name of God, and show what that crime or impediment is.

One of the ministers present shall then say: Hear ye the word of the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel:

WHE

HEN I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: if, when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whosoever heareth the sound of the